Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar has officially confirmed his return in Jailer 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2023 blockbuster Jailer starring Rajinikanth. Speaking at the press conference for his upcoming Kannada film 45 – The Movie, Shiva shared his excitement and surprise over the response to his extended cameo in the first film. "I am part of Jailer 2, the shooting has already begun," he revealed, adding, "To be honest, even in part one, I didn’t expect the kind of appreciation I got. I only did it because Rajinikanth Sir was there—he is like a father figure to me."
Reflecting on his viral moment in Jailer, Shiva Rajkumar recalled how his simple actions—walking in with a cigar and casually pushing a tissue box—unexpectedly captivated audiences. "I never thought the tissue box would make this much noise," he laughed. "Even today, my wife asks me what exactly I did in Jailer, and I swear I have no idea." He credited the impact of his scene to the combined brilliance of cinematographer Vijay Kartik Kannan, director Nelson Dilipkumar, and composer Anirudh Ravichander. "I think I am blessed, and I thank everyone for making it happen," he added with heartfelt humility.
Jailer 2, directed by Nelson and produced by Kalanithi Maran under Sun Pictures, promises to carry forward the legacy of its predecessor with Rajinikanth returning as the iconic titular character. The film also stars SJ Suryah, Ramya Krishnan, Yogi Babu, and Mirnaa Menon. With Shiva Rajkumar officially onboard, fans can expect another memorable moment, potentially even more impactful than the now-famous tissue box scene.
Meanwhile, Shiva is gearing up for the release of 45, a Kannada-language action film marking the directorial debut of music director Arjun Janya. Produced by Ramesh Reddy, the film features an ensemble cast including Upendra, Raj B. Shetty, Jisshu Sengupta, and Kaustubha Mani. As Shiva balances multiple high-profile projects across languages, his presence continues to bridge industries and captivate audiences nationwide.